Jason Kidd heard the basketball gods screaming loud and clear. Following a 10-game playoff scoreless streak and two second-half benchings by Knicks coach Mike Woodson to end the season, it was time to hang it up.

Four days after wondering if he could “do the grind all over again,” Kidd announced his retirement yesterday, ending a 19-year NBA career that will land the point guard in the Hall of Fame.

“He told me recently he wanted to leave the game when he still enjoyed it,” a Kidd confidant told The Post. “It was the hardest year he’s had mentally and physically, especially the second half of the season. You can tell he was tired. No specific injury. Just harder to keep his body in shape.’’

Kidd, who turned 40 in March, finished out his career by going 0-for-19 in the 10 straight goose eggs, including the entirety of the Knicks’ second-round series loss to the Pacers.

“Everyone can use the word Father Time — it’s undefeated,” Kidd said yesterday on ESPN Radio. “I think it’s the right time for me to move on to the next chapter.”

He joked: “Everyone will talk about the month I had, but I didn’t come in the league as a scorer. I guess I’ll leave that way, too.”

JASON KIDD THROUGH THE YEARS

On Thursday, at a charity event, Kidd revealed he was uncertain about his future, saying coaching and broadcasting were avenues he might pursue. A source said television networks already have contacted his agent, Jeff Schwartz.

Kidd could wind up on the Knicks’ coaching staff next season, though nothing has been discussed yet. It’s unclear if the Nets — the team Kidd led to two straight Finals during his heyday in New Jersey — will interview him for their head-coaching vacancy.

“We’ll take a step back here and see if there’s any opportunities,’’ Kidd said.

In a statement released by the Knicks, Kidd said, “My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years. As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”

Kidd will forgo the final two years and $6.2 million left on his Knicks pact. It’s a straight break, allowing the Knicks salary-cap savings for 2013-14, which merely reduces owner James Dolan’s luxury-tax bill.